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Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:14 pm
by OregonDodgeboy
eralov wrote:oh, and as to the jeep wheelbase, those rigs are not mid engined, their engine is 12-18 inches farther forward, that is the space that the rear driveline needs for any articulation...
After reading this I thought of something kinda wild that might work for ya. How about putting the body on backwards, and building an engine cover area in the back? :thinking The biggest thing that would need to be done is to get reverse cut gears for the axles. Shouldn't be too hard to locate, especially if you used a J**p chassis, as there's tons of stuff like that out there. I kinda think of the engine cover area like the old VW Bus' were, that covered the whole area and allowed you to put a bed or whatever back there.

As far as the wheel opening in the front, if you used a rear shackle set-up on the front axle, the movement would be upward and rearward. So you could much more easily enlarge the opening in that direction than the other way. But if you kept your tires a reasonable size, the body lift required to mount it on the chassis should allow enough room for tire tuck during greater articulation situations. :study :thinking

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:23 pm
by eralov
sorry for the delay, weather is finicky right now
the rear suspension is simpler, and i could just relocate the spring perches
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Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:34 pm
by eralov
OregonDodgeboy wrote:
eralov wrote:oh, and as to the jeep wheelbase, those rigs are not mid engined, their engine is 12-18 inches farther forward, that is the space that the rear driveline needs for any articulation...
After reading this I thought of something kinda wild that might work for ya. How about putting the body on backwards, and building an engine cover area in the back? :thinking The biggest thing that would need to be done is to get reverse cut gears for the axles. Shouldn't be too hard to locate, especially if you used a J**p chassis, as there's tons of stuff like that out there. I kinda think of the engine cover area like the old VW Bus' were, that covered the whole area and allowed you to put a bed or whatever back there.

As far as the wheel opening in the front, if you used a rear shackle set-up on the front axle, the movement would be upward and rearward. So you could much more easily enlarge the opening in that direction than the other way. But if you kept your tires a reasonable size, the body lift required to mount it on the chassis should allow enough room for tire tuck during greater articulation situations. :study :thinking

problem is that i am unibody, and have no frame to move around
as for the jeep stuff, neat idea, i've even located a jeep forward control rig, but after looking at that i want to restore it...
i could use some big axles, like rockwells, but the brakes are then a huge issue

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:01 am
by OregonDodgeboy
eralov wrote:...problem is that i am unibody, and have no frame to move around
as for the jeep stuff, neat idea, i've even located a jeep forward control rig, but after looking at that i want to restore it...
i could use some big axles, like rockwells, but the brakes are then a huge issue
Well, I was thinking of just a CJ frame, probably a 5, so the wheelbase would be close. I wasn't thinking of using a frame from one of those forward control Jeeps. But it may be better suited for this, if you want to try to keep the motor in the right spot. :thinking :study

Actually what I was thinking was to make some triangulated stands from the frame that go up to a short piece of horizontally mounted tubing with a rubber bushing inside at the top. It would simulate the spring eyes, and it would bolt to your unibody frame in these 8 locations. :study :salut

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:42 pm
by eralov
the subframes i have been thinking of would use the stock spring hangers, not so much as for a bolt on installation, but to avoid welding to the thin unibody

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:56 pm
by 66patrick
Around here, there is a red, white, and blue '67 A108 van that has a dually rear axle under it and has four-wheel drive. It's a window van that has been on the road here for close to 25 years. Same owner that whole time, I'm sure. Never have been able to speak with the owner.

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:58 am
by Yooper88
Just a guess but I would check into a jeep cabforward frame and running gear.It is probably real close to what you'd need.I'm taking about the old early to mid '60's flat faced jeeps. :2cents

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:11 am
by Yooper88
Yooper88 wrote:Just a guess but I would check into a jeep cabforward frame and running gear.It is probably real close to what you'd need.I'm taking about the old early to mid '60's flat faced jeeps. :2cents
Acually they called them "forward controll" jeeps and willys.The weel base looks likeit would work great on an A 100.They made them from '57-'65.

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:08 pm
by soopernaut
Somebody on Moparts just bought a 4 wheel drive A100 van. I saw it on craigslist for a while somewhere in the North East.

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:09 pm
by moparmaniac75
there is a similar thread on slantsix.org and the person said It was a ramcharger running gear under it and was said to be a perfect fit for the vans with the 108"wb

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:54 am
by eralov
ramcharger front axles have a 32 1/2" front spring pad center, the a vans have about 36 1/4"
the passenger side spring perch is cast into the differential housing and there is not enough room to safely add a spring perch
the rear axles are different widths as well, but that is a relatively simple fix if you can weld well
the steering will require a custom or adjustable drag link also
since the a vans are unibody, a t-case cross-member is required and will need some fab skills

i only post this as i am working on a 67 a-108 using parts from a 78 ramcharger
i have decided to use parts from an 83 pathfinder converted b350 van as the ford front axle is easier to install and move rearward for the larger fender openings need for even small truck tires
if any one has first hand information on this, please let me know

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:17 pm
by ejtmopar
Ive been looking for someone else with an a100 4x4.. I have a 68 A100 4x4. See pics.. 318/ 3spd... dana 27 front/rear axles from a scout, dana 300 t-case. works well but i want to find some later model scout axles.. dana 44 rear and dana 30 front. Nice rig with only 51k on it. no rust!
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Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:24 pm
by ejtmopar
Those jeeps you speak of.. out here we call them cab overs but anyway my buddy had a couple of those kicking around.. Not too common. he was gonna build a bogger out of one of them. Not sure if he still has the same plan.. its been a couple o f years. If someone was interested i could get them contact info..

Also yes i am the north east guy who bought the 68 A100 4x4 off CL. Turned out to be a swet rig! Can wait to get it all painted up this fall!

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:46 am
by eralov
any chances that you could get a couple of pics of the front suspension and the steering?
i am building an a108 and am unsure how i want to proceed, with a ttb ford style or a conventional leaf spring

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:24 pm
by ejtmopar
Yes i will get some pictures for you.. I might have to throw this thing up for sale as ive got to come up with some $$ for a house project.

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:09 pm
by George
I love the Idea of a 4x4 A-108. I did drive with friends from Detroit to San Francisco and back twice in 1968,was a new van 225/three on the tree great fun.
I am thinking maybe fab a totally new frame and set the body on that, then use a IRS so the drive shaft length is not an issue. Maybe Fxxd explorer IRS rear
end would fit. Just an idea.

Re: A100 4x4???

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 10:53 pm
by DavidWymore
ejt, think you could repost them pics?

Thanks!